Draymond Green’s Crucial Role in the Warriors’ Pursuit of Championship Glory

A mere couple of weeks before the commencement of training camp for the 2023-24 season, Draymond Green, a linchpin of the Golden State Warriors’ success, endured a sprained ankle, sidelining him for the entirety of the team’s preseason games.

Initially, the prognosis indicated an absence of approximately six weeks due to his ankle injury. However, the latest update from the team, released on a Tuesday afternoon, brings a glimmer of hope:

“Draymond Green, who suffered a sprained left ankle during off-season workouts and has missed the first three preseason games, is making good progress,” the team announced in a press release. “He has been cleared to begin light on-court workouts, including shooting drills, with his return to full team practices and scrimmages contingent on his ongoing recovery. A re-evaluation is scheduled for this Sunday.”

This news brings a sigh of relief for both the Warriors and Green, as it suggests that he is ahead of schedule in his journey to recovery. Throughout the preseason, Green has consistently expressed his determination to be available when the 2023-24 season tips off on October 24, as the Warriors host the Phoenix Suns.

While the decision about Green’s availability for the start of the regular season is pending, the fact that he will undergo a re-evaluation on Sunday underscores the optimism prevailing within the organization.

At 33 years old, Green played in 73 games during the previous season, securing All-Defensive honors for the fifth consecutive year. He averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game, shooting an impressive 52.7 percent from the field.